New Dogs and Handlers in the Racing Ring

For the sake of not putting undue pressure on the new dogs and also preserving the experienced dogs’ ability to accumulate points toward titles, new dogs will be included in warm-ups and racing lineups as follows:

1.) Only dogs listed on the racing form submitted to the host club before the tournament begins can be in the racing ring at any time while the tournament is in progress. Then, they can only be in the lane during the warm-up and racing times allocated to that team. (Note: TEAM, not CLUB.) This is a NAFA rule, not a Pawmetto Pack rule.

2.) First warm-up for the team each day goes to the core (experienced) dogs on the team so that they can settle in. No new dogs will be doing warm-ups during these times and should not be in the ring.

3.) Warm-up priority always goes to those dogs that will actually compete in the forthcoming race.

4.) Any new dog that cannot keep his/her focus off of the activity in the opponents’ lane will not be put in a racing lineup. This is to protect your dog from allegations of aggressive behaviour and to protect your dog and the other team’s dogs from injury, not to mention potential injury to the human team members.

5.) Any new or inexperienced dog that is intensely focusing on the other dogs to the exclusion of being able to concentrate on his handler’s commands will be excused from warm-ups, to preserve the prep time for the competing dogs. Depending on the situation, the dog may be allowed in the ring during the warm-up period to work on on-leash attention exercises, only.

6.) New or inexperienced dogs that are hoping to be included in a racing lineup must first perform the minimum requirements for completing the flyball pattern consistently in at least 2 warm-up periods—preferably two that are sequential—with the dog’s overall performance showing steady or increasing understanding of the exercise. The minimum requirements are as follows:

a.) Go down to the box, clearing all four hurdles

b.) Trigger the box

c.) Retrieve the ball

d.) Return to the handler, again clearing all four hurdles

e.) Carry the ball past the finish line

Things that will not be considered as part of the minimum requirements are:

a.) Speed

b.) Box turn

c.) Catching the ball before it hits the ground

d.) Passing ability

7.) Every effort will be made to have only one new/inexperienced dog in a racing lineup at a time. This allows the team to concentrate on the performance of one newcomer.

8.) New dogs that have not yet raced will not be put into an elimination race for their first experience. Elimination races are races where the team’s final standing is determined by whether individual races are won or lost. It is unfair to the new dog, the competing dogs, and the opposing teams to enter an untried dog in a race at this time.

9.) Suggestions for a new handler in the ring will come from the club captain or line coach ONLY, to avoid the confusion that can easily overwhelm a newcomer.